Okro soup, a popular meal in many West African cuisines, is best served with fresh, vivid ingredients that bring out its rich flavors and textures. Fresh okro (okra) is required for its distinctive slimy texture, palm oil for a rich, earthy flavor, and various meats or fish such as cattle, goat, chicken, or dried fish for protein and complexity.

Crayfish adds a mild fishy flavor, crushed pepper adds heat and leafy greens like spinach or ugu (fluted pumpkin leaves) bring color and nourishment.

Aromatic herbs like onions, garlic, ginger, and traditional spices like locust beans or bouillon cubes help to round out the soup’s powerful flavor. A pinch of salt and a splash of water bring it all together. they are creating a hearty and comforting dish.

Okro Soup Ingredients

Below is a lengthy list that can be used to create a delicious Okro soup. Note that not all of these ingredients are used in a single recipe; rather, they represent the diversity of ingredients that different variations might include.

Fresh okro (okra)

Palm oil

Meat (beef, goat meat)

Fish (smoked fish, fresh fish)

Crayfish (ground)

Shrimps (dried or fresh)

Stockfish (dried cod)

Ponmo (cow skin)

Snails

Chicken

Periwinkle

Ugu leaves (fluted pumpkin leaves)

Bitter leaves

Spinach

Uziza leaves

Waterleaf

Onions

Tomatoes

Bell peppers

Scotch bonnet peppers (ata rodo)

Red chili peppers

Habanero peppers

Green bell peppers

Yellow bell peppers

Ogiri (fermented oil seed paste)

Locust beans (iru or ogiri)

Groundnut (peanut) butter

Melon seeds (egusi)

Ground pepper

Ground nutmeg

Ground cumin

Ground coriander

Thyme

Curry powder

Ground ginger

Ground garlic

Salt

Bouillon cubes (Maggi, Knorr, etc.)

Ground black pepper

Ground white pepper

Red palm fruit concentrate

Ground crayfish

Dried shrimp powder

Fish sauce

Soy sauce

Fresh garlic

Fresh ginger

Lemon juice

Lime juice

Vinegar

Coconut milk

Fresh basil leaves

Fresh parsley leaves

Fresh coriander leaves (cilantro)

Bay leaves

Fresh mint leaves

Fresh thyme leaves

Fresh rosemary leaves

Fresh oregano leaves

Fresh dill leaves

Fresh tarragon leaves

Fresh sage leaves

Fresh chives

Tomato paste

Tomato purée#

Tomato sauce

Water

Meat broth (stock)

Fish broth (stock)

Chicken broth (stock)

Beef broth (stock)

Goat broth (stock)

Vegetable broth (stock)

Ground dried pepper (cayenne)

Ground paprika

Ground allspice

Ground cloves

Ground cinnamon

Ground cardamom

Ground fennel

Ground star anise

Ground fenugreek

Ground turmeric

Ground mustard seeds

Ground mace

Ground celery seeds

Ground caraway seeds

Ground sesame seeds

Ground flax seeds

Ground chia seeds

Ground pumpkin seeds

Ground sunflower seeds

Ghee (clarified butter)

Butter

Margarine

Olive oil

Vegetable oil

Canola oil

Peanut oil

Corn oil

Feel free to mix and match these ingredients based on personal desires and regional variations to create a unique and flavorful Okro soup!

What Does Okro Soup Contain?

Okra soup is a commonly served delicacy in West Africa, particularly in Nigeria. It is typically cooked with okra, onions, habanero pepper, red bell pepper, locust bean, and various seasonings.

Some recipes also need chicken, beef, turkey, fish, and vegetables like spinach.